-
LEWISBURG, W. Va (PRESS RELEASE)– West Virginia Division of Highways announces a one-lane closure on US 219 in Lewisburg.It will be from 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM daily, starting Monday, May 20 through Friday,More >> LEWISBURG, W. Va (PRESS RELEASE)– West Virginia Division of Highways announces a one-lane closure on US 219 in Lewisburg.It will be from 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM daily, starting Monday, May 20 through Friday,More >> ABBS VALLEY (WVVA) - A young member of the region's bear population found himself in need of rescue Wednesday after an attack by dogs in Tazewell County. Residents in Abbs Valley were able to get theMore >> WAYNESBORO Va. (WVVA) - A bear cub that was saved from a dog attack in the Abbs Valley area of Tazewell County has arrived at his temporary home -- a Virginia wildlife center. Amanda Nicholson of theMore >> BLUEFIELD, W.Va (WVVA) -- Kids in Southern West Virginia had a chance to meet West Virginia University's mascot. The mountaineer visited several schools in the area to meet students, teach them a WVUMore >> BLUEFIELD, W.Va (WVVA) -- Kids in Southern West Virginia had a chance to meet West Virginia University's mascot. The mountaineer visited several schools in the area to meet students, teach them a WVUMore >> BLUEFIELD, W.Va (WVVA) -- In honor of National EMS week, the Bluefield Rescue Squad held a cook out Wednesday for first responders and their families. The squad grilled out steak and chicken for everyoneMore >> BLUEFIELD, W.Va (WVVA) -- In honor of National EMS week, the Bluefield Rescue Squad held a cook out Wednesday for first responders and their families. The squad grilled out steak and chicken for everyoneMore >> BECKLEY (WVVA) - A mother and stepfather accused in the death of a toddler are among those who have been indicted by a Raleigh County Grand Jury. A total of 89 indictments were handed down during theMore >> BECKLEY (WVVA) - A mother and stepfather accused in the death of a toddler are among those who have been indicted by a Raleigh County Grand Jury. A total of 89 indictments were handed down during theMore >> CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- A former hospital executive will soon head West Virginia's Department of Health and Human Resources. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin named Karen Bowling on Wednesday to his Cabinet effectiveMore >> CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- A former hospital executive will soon head West Virginia's Department of Health and Human Resources. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin named Karen Bowling on Wednesday to his Cabinet effectiveMore >> LEWISBURG, W.Va. (AP) -- Greenbrier County's prosecutor is seeking a life sentence for a man convicted of torching several vehicles at a West Virginia State Police barracks. Prosecutor Patrick Via saysMore >> LEWISBURG, W.Va. (AP) -- Greenbrier County's prosecutor is seeking a life sentence for a man convicted of torching several vehicles at a West Virginia State Police barracks. Prosecutor Patrick Via saysMore >> PARRIS ISLAND (WVVA) - WVVA's Caroline Bach got hands-on experience in Marine training while at Parris Island. In the above Web Extra videos, watch as Caroline repels down at 47-foot wall, and pulls theMore >> PARRIS ISLAND (WVVA) - WVVA's Caroline Bach got hands-on experience in Marine training while at Parris Island. In the above Web Extra videos, watch as Caroline repels down at 47-foot wall, and pulls theMore >> BLUEFIELD (WVVA) - The annual Cole Chevy Mountain Festival is underway at Bluefield City Park. The festival takes place May 21-27 -- the centerpiece of which is the James H. Drew Carnival, which runsMore >> BLUEFIELD (WVVA) - The annual Cole Chevy Mountain Festival is underway at Bluefield City Park. The festival takes place May 21-27 -- the centerpiece of which is the James H. Drew Carnival, which runsMore >>
WHITESVILLE- The focal point of the Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial will be installed at the recently completed memorial plaza in Whitesville this week. On Tuesday, July 17th, contractors and employees of Beckley Crane and Construction will deliver the first of six granite segments of the UBB Miners monument and entrance sign to the memorial site from Rock of Ages in Graniteville, VT. The Upper Big Branch Mining Memorial Group expects installation of the monument and entrance sign to be completed by Thursday, July 19th.
The UBB Miners monument is 48' long and made from "American Black" granite quarried from the Rock of Ages' quarry in St. Peters, Pennsylvania. Featured on the front of the monument are life-size silhouettes of 29 miners standing shoulder to shoulder below an engraving of the seal of the state of West Virginia. Under the miners' feet are the words, "Come to me, all you who labor, and I will give you rest." The reverse side details a history of coal in West Virginia. It also includes a tribute to all coal miners and an homage to the temporary gazebo memorial that was erected shortly after the explosion. The monument and surrounding plaza were designed by Rob Dinsmore of Chapman Technical Group in St. Albans, WV.
The delivery and installation is being coordinated by Arnold Maynard of Beckley Crane and Construction and Pray Construction. The monument segments and entrance sign will arrive at Maynard's Beckley location on Monday evening. On Tuesday morning, the granite segments and sign will be transported to the memorial site in Whitesville by flatbed truck and escorted by West Virginia State Police. Once there, telephone and cable lines will be dropped to the sidewalk and power lines raised so that each piece of granite can be lowered onto it's permanent base by crane. After installation is complete, the monument will be covered until the official dedication on Friday, July 27th where it will be unveiled during a public ceremony.
The Upper Big Branch Mining Memorial Group, Inc was founded in February of 2011 to develop and raise funds for a permanent memorial to the victims of the Upper Big Branch Coal Mine Disaster.
